A Royal Heartbreak by Marian Tee

much?”
     
    She flinched at the term he used. A martyr. Had she been done that all the time? Could it be the reason why Domenico never thought her fit to be his true mate?
     
    Squaring her shoulders, she smiled brightly at Lysander. “Okay, picnic that is. Let’s walk to my home first so I can grab some stuff and then we can go.”
     
    While waiting outside Misty’s cottage, Lysander caught sight of Sir Belmont walking up the lane. Snapping his fan open for the sole purpose of antagonizing the old man, he called out in his soft languid drawl, “Sir Belmont, what a pleasant surprise!”
     
    “Seeing you is a surprise but it is not pleasant,” the old man grumbled. “And stop with that fan. We all know you are as homosexual as I am.”
     
    He snapped the fan closed, grim-faced. If Misty had heard what the old man said, he would not be accountable for his actions. “What’s your angle, old man? Why are you being so nice to her?”
     
    “Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that, Lysander Allard?” The old man gave him the evil eye. “It’s a disgrace, how you turned out.”
     
    He scowled. “You just said you didn’t think I’m gay.”
     
    Sir Belmont threw him a disgusted glance. “I wasn’t talking about that, you stupid boy. I’m talking about you – as a person. The Allards were once the gentlest of the noble families, the one with the heart of courage and generosity. It is a pity that as the last of your line you have become completely cold.”
     
    “How can you say that,” Lysander hissed, “when I’m willing to give up my own life for our race?”
     
    The old man remained unimpressed. “If that is all you can say for yourself then---”
     
    The front door flew open, Misty coming out in a shirt and jumper, looking like a fresh-faced high school student with her face scrubbed clean of makeup. She brightened when she saw Sir Belmont. “Welcome back, Sir Belly.”
     
    Lysander’s jaw dropped, momentarily forgetting his anger upon hearing what Misty called the other man. Even though he was known nowadays as their race’s own Grinch, everyone was also well aware that he had been one of the greatest swordsmen of his time.
     
    Sir “Belly” ignored his slack-jawed look, his face creasing with a rare smile as he gave Misty a bag of fruits. “Ripe for eating,” he told her warmly.
     
    Misty grinned. “Thank you! Let’s have tea sometime this week?”
     
    “If you can spare this poor old man some time.”
     
    Lysander wanted to choke. Was the old man flirting with Misty now?
     
    Misty said earnestly, “Of course I’ll always have time for you.”
     
    Yuck was the word that came to mind as he watched Sir Belmont bask in Misty’s attention. Clearing his throat loudly, Lysander asked, “Shall we go?”
     
    She gave her friend a regretful smile. “Catch up with you soon?”
     
    Sir Belmont nodded. “You have fun wherever you’re going!”
     
    “We’re just going on a picnic,” she explained quickly. “Do you want to---”
     
    “The old man needs some rest, my pretty,” Lysander said just as quickly, knowing his plans would go nowhere if the other man was around.
     
    Misty’s face fell. “Oh. Sorry about that. Maybe next time then.” As she turned away, Lysander caught sight of Sir Belmont giving him a dirty look. He was about to mouth “Fuck off” to the older man when Misty turned to him.
     
    He gave her his most angelic smile. “Ready for our picnic?”
     
    Lysander took her to one of his favorite places in the realm. Deep within the forests, hidden at the end of a brook was a cave he had discovered when he was a young boy. And after the Great War, it had served as his sanctuary---the only place he could be himself.
     
    He had never brought anyone to his sanctuary until Misty, but he decided not to tell her that.
     
    “This is great!” Misty had to shout her words because the roar of the nearby waterfalls would have otherwise drowned out her voice. Caves